KLANG: After achieving a historic record of handling a container throughput of 14.64 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) last year, Port Klang’s annual throughput has surpassed Hong Kong’s and is expected to rank among the world’s top 10 ports this year.

In a joint interview with Chinese media, Port Klang Authority (PKA) Chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah said Port Klang’s container throughput increased by 600,000 TEUs or 4.1 per cent last year, compared to 14.06 million TEUs in 2023.

The result has exceeded its target.

Ean Yong mentioned that Hong Kong’s port – previously ranked 10th worldwide – handled only 13.69 million TEUs last year, according to data released by the Hong Kong authorities.

Pending international confirmation, Port Klang is expected to overtake Hong Kong to rank 10th this year.

He stated that the record-high throughput of Port Klang demonstrates outstanding performance in the country’s economic development and trade activities.

Ean Yong stated that given the global trends, Malaysia’s trade and industrial development this year is expected to achieve positive growth.

As such, PKA is confident that Port Klang’s container throughput can surpass 15 million TEUs this year, achieving a growth rate of 4–5 per cent.

He explained that Port Klang’s previous container handling ratio consisted of 60 per cent transshipment and 40 per cent import and export containers.

However, due to the strong domestic trade performance last year, import and export containers experienced significant growth.

“In future, the import and export container proportion in Port Klang will further reach 50 per cent.

“In other words, we are a port where both transshipment as well as import and export are equally important, giving us a competitive edge compared to other ports.” he said.

For example, 90 per cent of Singapore’s containers are for transshipment, making it heavily reliant on international shipping, he said.

Port Klang currently has the capacity to handle a container throughput of over 20 million TEUs, with 14 million handled by Westport and 6.5 million by Northport, he said.

Currently, Westport’s throughput has exceeded 80 per cent of its capacity, approaching its saturation point.

He said PKA anticipates an annual growth rate of 4–5 per cent in the coming years, which is why the Westport Phase 2 expansion plan is underway.

He revealed that the total investment for the Westport Phase 2 expansion plan is RM39 billion, fully funded by the Westport company.

“The Westport terminal will be expanded by 4.8 kilometres, adding eight berths for container ships.”

The first phase will involve the construction of four berths, expected to be completed by 2043, he said.

He added that once the Phase 2 expansion plan is completed, Westport will be able to handle an additional 13 million TEUs, meeting the demand for the next 10 to 15 years.